The smile slipped from his lips. Future trips weren’t in the cards for them. This was supposed to be temporary. When they left the island, their paths would only cross again professionally.
He wasn’t the sort of man who could stay with Avery longer than that. Not without hurting her in a way he’d never allow.
“Do you have a plan?”
Blinking, he turned her way, wondering if she’d somehow been listening in on his thoughts.
“For where we’re going,” she clarified.
He shook his head, shifting his attention back to the road. “Not everything needs to be planned out. Just relax and enjoy a ride through the stunning countryside with an equally stunning companion.”
A soft chuckle reached his ears. “Stunning, hmm?”
“Aren’t I?” he replied without an ounce of shame. They’d turned away from the beach to begin the slow climb farther inland. Already the beach palms had given way to lush, green, rolling fields.
“Something like that,” she said, brushing the loose strands of hair from her face. “I did some research on a few places to check out upcountry. They might be worth investigating for future tour opportunities.”
“Always working.”
Her head turned toward him. “That’s why I’m here.”
That’s only one reason why you’re here. And despite my desire to improve my hotel’s numbers, it’s quickly becoming secondary.
Wyatt would have a fit if he knew Hayden was placing more importance on Avery than on work. Pleasure was temporary. His business was the only constant in his life. One he’d poured his soul into. After Sophia, focusing on his hotels had been a way of keeping himself sane. It was his good fortune that his focus had transformed into millions.
When he’d finally lifted his nose from the grindstone, he’d been years older and ten times richer. But his success hadn’t filled the gaping hole in his chest. So he’d collected the best and brightest to ensure his company would thrive without his constant presence, and gone off to explore the world, determined to find something to patch himself back together.
Too bad he was still searching.
“All right, Wexton,” his companion said into the silence hanging between them. “I’ll try to relax a little. So long as we go to at least a few of the places on my list.”
“Deal,” he said.
Her smile was breathtaking. “Deal.”
Closing her eyes, she tilted her face back up toward the sun.
Eyes on the road.
Because all he wanted to do was watch the stress clear from Avery’s expression and know he’d had a hand that small miracle.
What’s more, he wished he could always be there to help her step back from her responsibilities, to share her burdens.
And that was very far from being an acceptable wish for a temporary affair.
Chapter Six
Avery leaned against the doorway of the mansion-turned-art-gallery, staring out over the expansive lands that boasted twisting trees and fields so green she’d wondered if they were even real. No place this beautiful should actually exist. In fact, their whole afternoon shared the same dreamlike quality, starting with the fast ride she’d enjoyed despite herself. They’d left the beach behind and steadily climbed the slopes of the towering mountain. The higher altitude allowed for a break from the heat of the beach. It also revealed a handful of towns she’d love to spend days exploring. Instead, Hayden had reviewed her list and selected this particular spot, a knowing smile on his lips.
Smart man.
The setting of this beautiful house was as breath-taking as it was romantic. She could easily picture happy brides holding their ceremonies on the sweeping lawn. Did everything on this damn island have to look like it was lifted from some lucky honeymooner’s fantasy?
“Enjoying the view?” a voice whispered in her ear.
There was no stopping the smile that twisted her lips. “It’s incredible,” she replied. “But we can’t shuttle tours up here. It’s too far to only visit this one spot.” She forced herself to focus on work. It was, as ever, her safe haven. Thinking of the hotel left little room to dwell on its owner.
Liar.
She lifted her chin. A little self-delusion never hurt anyone.
A fingertip traced down her bare arm as Hayden’s chest pressed against her back. “We could see if there are any gallery tour companies that do day trips to other inland museums and locations,” he said. “Come for the beach, stay for the culture.”
Not a bad idea.
“I’ll check it out when I’m back,” she said. “You know, you could save yourself my fees and do my job yourself.”
“Trust me, having your eyes on this matter is money well spent,” he said, his breath fanning her ear.
“You’re just saying that because you want to seduce me and being surrounded by water is a pretty good way of ensuring I don’t just drive off and leave you in the lurch.”
He slid around her, blocking her view of the grounds.
“I can’t deny my intentions,” he said. “But when I say you’re good at your job, I mean it. We might not have had much to do with each other before the gala, but even then I knew you were an asset to the company.”
She blinked. “I always assumed it was Wyatt who got my reports.”
“I read every one of them,” he replied. “Plus, I implemented a great many of your suggestions. You’re not here because I wanted to corner you, Avery. You’re here because you’re the best and I don’t settle for less.”
Pleasure coursed through her. It shouldn’t matter that he respected her talents, but she rather liked knowing he’d read the words she’d spent weeks crafting. She’d always wondered if her work was filed away in some forgotten desk. Some of her clients only chose to follow bits and pieces of her advice. Others were happy to chuck out her reports and carry on as they always had. What happened once her contract was finished was none of her business. She hadn’t realized Hayden had taken her job seriously.
“You’re really having a hard time believing I’m anything other than a spoiled brat living off caviar and carousing around Monaco, aren’t you?”
She glanced away, knowing he had a point. “Whenever I saw you, it was with a different gorgeous blonde on your arm and not a care in the world.”
He shrugged. “Everyone has a type.”
“You’re not even a little ashamed you rotate through women faster than most people go through Tic Tacs?”
“Why would I be? I learned young not to take life for granted. If I want to spend my days having fabulous sex with more than willing women, why shouldn’t I?”
“Haven’t you ever wanted more?” she asked, even knowing the answer. Why would he? His life was the living embodiment of every man’s fantasy. There were no limits, no restrictions on what he could do or whom he could do it with.
Unlike her life, which was far more controlled.
But that’s the way I like it.
If you were prepared for every eventuality, nothing came as a surprise.
It was the way she’d run her life for the past two years, and so far, it’d been working. With the exception of one slip, she was no longer the woman who leaped without thinking.
Or the one who fell for the wrong man.
“No,” Hayden said, his eyes dark. “I never wanted more. Never will.” He turned and walked out into the tiled courtyard.
She watched him go, wondering why his resolute tone caused something deep inside her to clench. It wasn’t a shock Hayden didn’t want a relationship. Why would he? He could have anything he needed with a snap of his fingers. A relationship would simply require effort he had no reason to expend.
Which only strengthened her resolve. They were very different people, and she didn’t just mean because of their bank accounts. Hayden wanted a life of pleasure and revelry.
She wanted…something real. Whether that was with another person or with her company, she needed to have the stability her life had
lacked before. There was a reason she spent her days building up her reputation and her business. It was something she’d created all on her own. Something she could be proud of.
Unlike the failure of her marriage.
If she let something as mundane as sex steer her away from her goals, she’d never be able to look herself in the mirror again. She’d learned the hard way that sometimes valuing yourself could cost you everything. It was a price she’d paid once before, and she wouldn’t let anyone, not even Hayden, pull her down again.
Even if he could set her pulse racing with the slightest touch.
He glanced back and stretched out a hand to her. Despite her better judgment, she pushed off the doorjamb and crossed to his side.
And tried not to think of how perfectly his hand fit into hers.
…
He shouldn’t have been so blunt.
Avery wandered the back gardens of the gallery, seeming engrossed in the tropical blooms she discovered. He followed more slowly, berating himself as he went. He never had this problem. It was little effort to turn on the charm with women, telling them whatever they wanted to hear.
But when Avery had looked up at him with those wide dark eyes, he hadn’t been able to offer her a cleverly turned phrase or side-step her question. No, instead, he’d told her there was zero chance of anything real developing between them.
He ran a hand across his jaw. Smooth.
Though it was always best to be honest in situations like this, he could have been more careful with his words. What was it about Avery that stripped away his practiced tactics and left him the bumbling idiot he hadn’t been since his teen years?
Either way, it’s best there are no misunderstandings. He never wanted to do anything that would cause her pain.
But still, he hadn’t missed the way her eyes had shuttered at his pronouncement.
For the first time, he debated the wisdom of his pursuit. Perhaps he really was the uncaring hedonist she’d painted him. He’d wanted her, so he’d done whatever was needed to put himself in her path.
Now he wondered if succeeding at his seduction would have unconsidered ramifications.
Dammit. His conscience might be rusty, but it wasn’t dead.
Avery glanced back in his direction.
“What?” she said.
He schooled his expression into a politely blank mask. “Pardon?”
“Why are you watching me like that?”
“It’s impossible not to watch you when you’re near.”
She rolled her eyes at the easy words but let them go. “Do you ever need to hold functions on the island? Because I think I’m in love with this property.”
“I’m more in the business of providing the venues than booking them.”
She sighed. “Of course.” Taking a last look around, she said, “We should probably get back on the road. As pretty as this place is, it won’t help us expand your customer experience.”
“After you,” he said, gesturing in the direction of the car.
It only took a few minutes before they were zooming down the long driveway to reach the road. Avery turned in her seat to get a last glimpse of the gallery, a smile on her lips.
The sight twisted something inside him. He liked seeing her like this, relaxed and cheerful. Thinking back to their brief encounters over the years, he’d always had the impression she was stern, professional in all ways, but severe.
Now there were dreams in her eyes as she soaked in a last look of the converted island mansion.
“That was wonderful,” she sighed as they hit the road. “Thank you for suggesting this outing. I want to see more of the island while I’m here.”
“Good thing you’ve got a lenient boss,” he replied.
She gifted him with another grin. “Pays to know the guy in charge, huh?”
“Always.” He maneuvered them along the empty road. “Being a part of my life comes with many perks. Give me time and I’ll sway you over to the dark side.”
She smiled. “For more afternoons like this, feel free to try your best.”
“I always come exploring when I visit this hotel,” he said. “One of the reasons I picked the island to build on was that I knew what an in-demand tourist destination it’d be.”
Avery rolled her head on the headrest to stare at him. “What’s it like?” she asked. “Looking at a map and deciding a small piece of the world is going to be yours?”
A grin curved his lips. “Exciting,” he answered honestly. “And exhausting. You have no idea the hours and work that goes into every new project.”
“I assumed you’d pawn that off on Wyatt.”
She really didn’t hold him in much esteem, did she?
“I prefer to be hands-on whenever we launch a new location. Too much can go wrong fast. I made that mistake when I first started with all this. I inherited someone else’s dream and had to find a way of making it my own. Coordinating new openings is the best part of my job.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed.”
“Because you don’t know much about me. Not really.”
She inclined her head. “I guess beyond my initial interview, I didn’t have much to do with you. Not that I expected to. I liked working with Wyatt better.”
“Wyatt?”
“Sure,” she replied. “There was one hotel he was quite concerned with. We spent weeks together coming up with a way to turn it around, and stayed in touch afterward. I got a number of other jobs with Wexton Hotels thanks to him.”
So his friend had spent more time with Avery than he had. He didn’t like the idea that he had missed chances to know Avery that Wyatt had been able to enjoy in his stead.
“Did the two of you get close?”
She shrugged. “I’d consider him a friend.”
“But not me.”
Her chocolate gaze returned to his. “No,” she murmured. “Whatever we are, it’s not friends.”
Was that good or bad? He couldn’t decide. In his experience, lovers were not friends. That term was reserved for a relationship that was far deeper. It was easier to keep things light, superficial, when sex was involved. Instead of probing deeper, he steered the conversation to safer topics as he guided the car toward the nearest town to find a bite to eat.
But as he drove he couldn’t help wondering, if he didn’t want her friendship, why was a feeling suspiciously close to jealously nipping at him?
…
Avery wandered happily by Hayden’s side. Lunch had been quick but tasty, though Hayden was exasperated when she’d insisted on eating at one of the cheaper local coffee joints instead of driving back to the five-star restaurants around the hotel. He’d shaken his head when she’d reached for a pre-packaged sandwich but agreed to follow her lead. This time.
She’d even convinced him to explore the small main street, dragging him into the off-brand stores that sported everything from tourist knickknacks to quality clothing. Through all her meandering, he’d seemed content to follow her lead.
Touching her bare ring finger, she couldn’t help but think of the past. Jon had hated to go shopping with her, preferring to arrange a meeting time for lunch whenever they hit the mall. He reasoned they could both do their separate shopping and make it home earlier than if they went to every store together.
But Hayden didn’t complain, even though the stores had to hold little interest to a man who only bought items with price tags that would give her heart palpitations.
“What have you found?” he asked, leaning over her shoulder.
She showed him the beaded bracelet she’d been admiring. “It might not be diamonds,” she teased, “but I like it.”
“Excellent.” He plucked it from her fingers and headed for the check-out.
“Hayden,” she protested, running after him. “That wasn’t code for ‘buy it for me.’”
He tossed her an amused smile. “Oh, I know. Those requests usually come attached to some promise of future fun.”
; “Now I definitely don’t want you buying the bracelet,” she said, reaching for it.
He pulled her close, dangling the beads before her eyes. “This is your souvenir of the day,” he said. “When you wear it, I want to you think of me.”
She stared up into his chiseled face, acutely aware of the hand on her hip. “Maybe I’ll just think of the cute store or the pretty gallery.”
His smile widened as he leaned down to her. “No, you won’t,” he murmured.
She inhaled his unique scent, knowing he was right. That bracelet would forever be tied to the man she was trying to hold at arm’s length.
He withdrew, his mouth hovering for a brief second over hers, before striding to the cashier.
Shaking herself, Avery forced her wooden feet to carry her to the exit, where she waited for her companion to return. When he did, he snapped off the price tag and clasped the beads around her wrist.
“Beautiful,” he said, but his eyes weren’t on the bracelet.
Blushing, she stared down at her new accessory. “Thanks,” she said.
“Any time.”
Avoiding his gaze, she ducked out of the store and began to make her way back to the car. They’d parked in an out of the way lot, but even it was picture-perfect, with hanging trees making a natural ceiling over the parked cars, offering a quiet privacy she was growing increasingly aware of. Hayden followed her without a word, but even so, her body tingled with his nearness.
Reaching the car, she moved to get in when he stopped her.
“We should go,” she said, pressing against the closed car door when he took a step forward. “The whole day has wasted away.”
“I wouldn’t call today a waste,” he replied.
“And what would you call it?”
“Progress.” He moved closer, gripping the car on either side of her to trap her within his arms.
“How arrogant,” she teased.
He shook his head. “I few days ago you were trying to escape before I noticed you. Today you’re enjoying my company. I call that an improvement.”
The Billionaire's Paradise (Sexy Billionaires) Page 6
